Dear Lady Ashby,
I would like to take the opportunity to introduce myself. I am Gavin Macrae, son to the Earl of Roxburgh, and elder brother to five siblings, three brothers and two sisters. I was unsure what to write to you as I do not excel at talking about myself, unless you are interested in knowing my height and hair color. I thought instead I might describe to you the scenery where I am sitting now, my faithful companion Red by my side keeping a watch out for rogue rabbits that might invade our gardens. My gaze roams across rolling green hills dotted with sheep, and the stone outcropping in the distance is as ancient as the fairies that live in these hills. The weather in May holds the promise of summer’s warmth and the sun is shining today as we sit on the veranda. My mother said you like to read. The book next to me isThe Expedition of Humphry Clinker. It is my early morning escape before the demands of day begin. What are you currently reading?
I look forward to meeting you this summer and having the opportunity to further our acquaintance.
Sincerely,
Gavin Macrae
Susanna set the letter down and glanced up at her father. “Well, what a surprise. He wrote a lovely letter full of interesting description and some humor. Not at all what I expected. He sounds…nice. Whyever is he looking to arrange a marriage with someone so far away?”
Her father’s gaze slid to the left, and he cleared his throat. “Don’t you worry about that. I’m glad you liked his introduction.”
Susanna tilted her head and stared at her father’s hands clenched together tightly in front of him. The overly bright smile plastered across his face again. “Oh, I understand. It’s my dowry he needs.” She sighed. Not that it was shocking at this point. There had been plenty of men right here in London that had pursued her for the same reason. She set the letter back on her father’s desk. “I will consider him as a possible suitor when I get the chance to size him up in person later this summer. Is that fair enough?”
Her father nodded. “Fair enough, daughter. I will see you at supper.”
Susanna wandered out the door and down the corridor to the drawing room. She plopped down in her chair but was no longer in the mood to read.
“I see you spoke with your father.”
Susanna twisted around. Her mother sat with her needlepoint in a chair by the window. “Mother, you startled me.” She stood and crossed to sit on the tufted stool near her mother’s feet. Sighing she put her chin on her hand, resting her elbow on one knee. “Yes, Father spoke to me about the Scot.”
“Macrae is a good man. He was once a beau of mine before your father stole my heart.”
“What?”Susanna sputtered.
“The father, dear. Not the son.” Her mother rolled her eyes. “Anyway, I think Lord Roxburgh has raised a nice young man in that Gavin. When he sent a letter to your father, I said I approved of the family.”
Susanna sighed. If her mother approved of the man, he was sure to be decent and nice. How very boring.
Her mother reached out and lifted Susanna’s chin until she had to meet her mother’s gaze. “You can still make your own choice you know. There are several men who would offer for you if you gave them just a crumb of encouragement.” Her mother leaned back and leveled a direct stare at her. “Perhaps even Lord Hawksridge.”
Susanna wrinkled her nose. A movement her mother did not miss. “And what’s wrong with Lord Hawksridge? I thought you two were friends?”
“Nothing is wrong with him. He is my friend, but he doesn’t want to marry for love, he wants to marry for advantage.”
“A marriage between you would be advantageous for you both.”
“No, no I mean he seeks a wife for his image, to bear him an heir, to check an item off on his list of life goals. He sees women as potential candidates. His words.” Susanna shook her head. “That’s not what I want. There was a moment last Christmas when he kissed me under the mistletoe where he caught me off guard. But since then, he has been nothing but a perfect gentleman.” She shrugged.
That searing kiss under the mistletoe had thrown her off-balance and had her thinking about his firm supple lips far too often since. She’d waited for some sort of follow-up, but Hawksridge had seemed to forget the kiss easily, nothing but a party game. It was she who had been naive enough to think she had cracked his polite façade just a bit that night.
“Then he is a foolish man. I don’t understand young men these days. Where are all the rogues?”
“Mother!”
“Not terrible rakes, just men of action.”
Susanna giggled before sobering at the thought of the Scot. “Gavin Macrae just needs my dowry, like all the others.”
“Perhaps dear, but when he gets here, he is sure to tumble head over heels in love with you. Let’s give him a chance, shall we?”
“I promised Father I would.”
“Good girl.” Her mother picked up her needlework off her lap and began stitching again. “Now tell me are you ready to travel back to Marbury and see Ellie? How are she and Lucius faring these days?”
“Oh fine. Her letters are filled with happiness. It won’t be long before she is popping out babies like Charlotte.”
